Chlumská stráň

Chlumská stráň is one of the oldest protected natural sites in the Rokycany district of the Czech Republic, sitting on the right bank of the deep Berounka river valley within the cadastral territory of Chlum nad Berounkou. It first gained protected status back in 1933, making it the oldest reserve in the region. Today it holds the status of a National Nature Reserve, covering more than 150 hectares of steep slopes, scree forest and rocky outcrops rising above the river.

Where exactly is Chlumská stráň?

The reserve lies in the northern part of the Horní Berounka Nature Park, bordering the Hřešihlavská Nature Park and the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area. That neighborhood is no coincidence — the entire Berounka valley between Rokycany and Křivoklát is one of the most ecologically valuable stretches of western Bohemia, marked by canyon-like river sections and forests that have largely escaped intensive forestry management. Since 2009, Chlumská stráň has also carried the status of a Site of Community Importance within the EU-wide Natura 2000 network, underlining its significance beyond national borders.

What is the view from the lookout opposite Ptyč?

A defining feature of the trail through the reserve is a viewpoint overlooking the opposite, left bank of the Berounka — the site of what used to be the large agricultural complex of Ptyč. Ptyč was once an extensive farmstead and settlement in the northeastern part of the Plzeň-sever district, perched on a terrace above the river's left bank. Today it mainly serves as a landmark for hikers following the reserve's paths, and the contrast is striking: a wild, steep, forested slope on one side of the river facing a once tamed, cultivated landscape on the other.

What kind of nature does the reserve protect?

The reserve's most valuable botanical feature is its population of common yew (Taxus baccata), a rare and endangered species in the Czech Republic that grows here naturally on the steep, rocky slopes covered by scree forest. Sites like this, where yew still forms a genuinely self-regenerating population rather than isolated planted specimens, are few and far between in the country. Beyond the yew, the reserve protects the deciduous woodland typical of the Berounka canyon growing on rocky substrate, with a rich understory and numerous species associated with old, minimally disturbed forest stands.

The river valley also draws birds tied to water and rocky cliffs — kingfishers can be spotted hunting for fish along the Berounka's course, while owls and birds of prey make use of the cliffs and old trees for nesting and hunting. The combination of steep terrain, flowing water and old-growth forest gives this relatively small reserve an ecological value out of proportion to its size.

Who is this trail for?

Chlumská stráň suits visitors looking for a quiet walk through nature with an emphasis on the river valley landscape rather than tourist infrastructure — the reserve itself offers few amenities, and its appeal lies in the unique combination of geology, old forest and views over the Berounka valley. It makes a fitting addition to a wider trip through the Horní Berounka and Křivoklátsko region for nature lovers and landscape photographers alike.

Frequently asked questions

Are there marked hiking trails through the reserve? Trails used by hikers run through and near the reserve, leading to the viewpoint above the Berounka valley.

How does Chlumská stráň differ from the surrounding protected areas? Unlike the broader nature parks (Horní Berounka, Hřešihlavská) or the Křivoklátsko protected landscape area, Chlumská stráň is a strictly protected, relatively small nature reserve focused on safeguarding specific valuable habitats — above all the natural stands of yew.

What does the Natura 2000 status mean for this site? It means the habitats and species found in the reserve have been judged valuable enough to fall under the EU-wide network of protected areas, which brings additional management requirements for the site.